Wednesday, December 30, 2009

We celebrated DH's birthday this week with a birthday cake. The Bozos are still home & I thought this recipe looked like a fun project for us to do together. It was easy enough for kids to make & lots of fun...not to mention delicious!The frosting on this cake is basically a ganache & it's very rich. The leftovers have proved even better than the fresh cake, as the frosting turns to a fudge like consistency.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

I have several strata recipes dog-eared in various cooking mags. But, have never gotten around to making one. On Christmas, my stepmother served two different kinds for brunch & they were delicious! So, now, I am finally making one.A strata is an Italian quiche. It doesn't have a crust, but instead the bread is cubed up in the casserole. I like it even more than quiche, because it is much lighter. As far as fillings, you can get creative with that. I left my fairly basic, as I wanted the Bozos to eat it.

Monday, December 28, 2009

I have the Bozo's home with me all week. Recently, they have been obsessed with Earth's Best Elmo Tomato Soup. I know my DH loves tomato soup as well. So, I decided to make a batch, to have on hand for lunches this {very, very long} week.This recipe couldn't be easier. It got a huge thumbs up from the Bozo review & they declared it the best tomato soup ever.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

As you can see from my recent posts about holiday cookies, I use a lot of Martha Stewart recipes. I began collecting her yearly Holiday Baking issue years ago & always find inspiration from her original cookie recipes & creative packaging ideas. Last year, I received her Cookies cookbook as a Christmas gift. Now, I have all those recipes in one book, instead of a big pile of magazines.While I love her ideas & design sense...I wonder sometimes who tests her recipes. I frequently have to adjust them & find that I can never plan on serving one of her dishes without testing it out first. Such is the case with these cookies. They came out fantastic! But, I had to tweak things.

Monday, December 21, 2009

I made these ginger cookies last month. And, while I thought they were amazingly delicious, they got crisp...very crisp, after sitting a day, or so. When I make my holiday cookies every year, I usually start the process about 5 days before Christmas. So, I need cookie recipes that can be stored a few days. I decided to try these, as they have a chewier texture.I love the little pockets of chocolate mixed in. And, the use of fresh ginger makes these especially spicy.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Saturday, December 19, 2009

A new cookie recipe in my usual Christmas baking repertoire. So many cookies involve nuts, chocolate, coconut, etc. But few I have tried use citrus. I thought it would be a nice change. They have a buttery, shortbread texture and a fresh, tart lime flavor.
These cookies are also super easy. The dough can be made ahead and frozen for up to two months. When ready to bake, simply slice the dough and cook. This is incredibly handy during the Holiday season when there's just so much to do!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

I am always on the lookout for a good looking chocolate chip recipe. I bake cookies as gifts for friends & relatives every year. But, I rarely have them done in time for the kid's last day of school, before the holiday break. I wanted to bring cookies into their teachers & these jumbo, delicious cookies seemed like the perfect thing. Both their teachers have little kids & I know that the whole family will enjoy these.The dough for this recipe needs to chill for 24-48 hours before baking. This step helps the flour absorb the egg & makes for their amazing consistency. So, plan accordingly when making the dough. It can also be kept in the fridge for 3 days. Which is great if you'd like to bake them as you need them.For precise measuring, I used a scale. But, if you don't have one, the traditional measurements are given as well.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

A Cookie Scoop.This kitchen tool will be getting a workout this week in my kitchen, as I begin my Holiday cookie baking. It's perfect for making uniform shaped cookies & speeds up the process...which, is great when you're making as many cookies as I am.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Like anyone out there in the holiday mode, I have been very busy lately. So, when I saw a recent issue of America's Test Kitchen-30 minute Suppers, packed full of 96 recipes that all cook in 30 minutes, I bought it.This easy & quick pasta dinner is from that issue. It was delicious.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

It has been pretty slim pickins' around The Parsley Thief lately. I have been caught up in the whirlwind of the Thanksgiving festivities {I hosted 15 at my house & went all out}, having my little sister in town for two weeks from Oregon {with my adorable niece, Sadie}, and trying to get a start on the Christmas season {shopping, ordering holiday cards & hosting a Tree Trimming party at my place this Sunday}. I can't promise that there will be much in the way of cooking posts this month. But, I'll do my best!Mamalizza has been nagging me to make some mac n' cheese. So, I finally did. I don't really make the homemade variety anymore. The bozos are used to their boxed Annie's & when I put something with breadcrumbs on their plates, they are like, what is this?! If you think your child will be equally picky, you can easily leave them off.This is an adapted version of a recipe I made quite frequently, back in my Brooklyn years {before children} & it was my favorite hangover special.It does require more effort than opening a box & blending some powdered cheese. So, I recommend making 2 & freezing one for later {save it for the next hangover}.